Sharing a Shrining moment

Saturday evening at Bentley University, Westwood natives Alex Berluti and Costa Toubekis were on opposite sidelines on the same campus at the 35th Annual Shriners All-Star Football Classic.

Tom Fargo/Staff Writer

Saturday evening at Bentley University, Westwood natives Alex Berluti and Costa Toubekis were on opposite sidelines on the same campus at the 35th Annual Shriners All-Star Football Classic. In a couple months, they’ll be on opposite campuses in the same town in Amherst.

Berluti’s South squad got the better of Toubekis and the North in a 21-7 victory. The two will have plenty of time to relive the contest as Berluti is headed to Amherst College, just down the street from Toubekis at the University of Massachusetts.

"I’ll have the next four years to hold this over him," said Berluti. "It was really enjoyable, without a doubt. It wouldn’t be as fun to practice for two weeks in the summer and not win. It’s just really for props.

"It’s definitely weird to be the is the last official high school things I do," added Berluti, who played four different varsity sports at Westwood, "but it’s the Shriners, it was definitely fun and worth it."

Despite not earning the bragging rights, it was still rewarding for Toubekis as well.

"Meeting new kids, having a new experience, it was great," said Toubekis. "I talked every day after practice with Alex, it was nice playing against him."

After starting out as teammates, the pair has taken different paths to Western Massachusetts. While Berluti is a recent Westwood High grad, quarterbacking the Wolverines to the Tri-Valley League title and a Division 3 playoff berth as a senior, Toubekis transferred to the Dexter School in Brookline after his sophomore year at Westwood, and credits his two years there with improving his academics and raising his recruiting profile.

Berluti, the 18th Wolverine and first since Mike Fafara in 2009 to be selected for the game, had to bide his time to get his shot to contribute to the South triumph. He was listed in the program as a defensive back and given a corresponding No. 31 jersey, but played all 13 of his snaps as a quarterback, entering in the fourth quarter.

He finished 4-of-6 passing for 38 yards, connecting with King Philip’s Sam McDonald for catches of 22 and 9 yards to get the South out of the shadow of its own end zone and kill the clock on the final drive, He also rushed three times for eight yards, including a key 6-yard keeper for a first down.

Berluti may have gotten more playing time on the defensive side of the ball, but he chose to focus on the position he feels is his future.

"Apparently I was selected as an all-purpose player and I was unaware of that," said Berluti. "I came in they weren’t really adjusted for me to play to quarterback. I repped with (the QBs) and they said that I would get minimal time there if I stayed there, but that’s what I’m trying to play in college and what I’m trying to pursue so it was good just get extra reps and be part of the team."

Toubekis said that UMass plans to use him on defense, but the 6-foot-2, 280-pound lineman played offense for the North and flashed his versatility, spending time at left tackle, left guard and right tackle at different times during the game.

He helped pave the way for North Offensive MVP Chance Brady of Haverhill to rush for a game-high 136 yards on 16 carries, and showed off his pass protecting skills with a pancake block of Xaverian’s Hunter Taute.

"I think the coaches saw (my versatility) and believed in that," said Toubekis. "I’m not used to being shipped around too much, but it was nice to play offensive line one last time."

With their high school careers now complete, each turn their attention to the next level. Berluti feels Amherst, traditionally one of the most selective institutions in the country, was the perfect fit for him. The Lord Jeffs were 6-2 last season, winning the Little Three and finishing ranked No. 7 in the final New England Division III poll.

"I’m really excited," said Berluti. "It’s a good academic situation and I’m going to have the opportunity to play, that’s all you can ask for."

UMass enters it second year as a Division I Football Bowl Subdivision program in 2013, debuting with a 1-11 record last fall, and will be eligible to participate in a bowl for the first time. Recruited as a preferred walk-on player, Toubekis not only hopes to be part of the emergence of the Minutemen, but to also open some eyes as well.

"I just want to work hard and get that scholarship the second year," said Toubekis.